FIRST READING
2 Peter 1:2-7
Beloved:
May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16
R. (see 2b) In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
I will deliver him and glorify him; with length of days I will gratify him and will show him my salvation.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
ALLELUIA
See Revelation 1:5ab
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead; you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 12:1-12
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?”
They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
REFLECTIONS:
What does Jesus' parable about an absentee landlord
and his tenants say to us? The hills of Galilee were lined with numerous
vineyards, and it was quite normal for the owners to let out their estates
to tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of collecting rent. Why did
Jesus' story about wicked tenants cause offense to the scribes and Pharisees?
It contained both a prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken
of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus'
listeners would likely understand this parable as referring to God's dealing
with a stubborn and rebellious people.
This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some important
truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it tells
us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything
the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the hands
of the tenants. God, likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run
life as we choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice.
Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while
the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice
prevail in the end. Jesus foretold both his death and his ultimate triumph.
He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would
not be the end. After rejection would come glory the glory of resurrection
and ascension to the right hand of the Father. How do we share in this
glory? By submitting to Jesus' kingly rule in our lives. Jesus promises
that we will bear much fruit (certainly the fruit of peace, righteousness,
and joy, and much more besides) if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11).
The Lord also entrusts his gifts to each of us and he gives us work to
do in his vineyard the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will
not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians
15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will
see triumph. Do you labor for the Lord with joyful hope and with confidence
in his triumph?
"Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given
us; for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful
redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more
dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own sake!" (Prayer
of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century)
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